Abt's Ian Bruenig co-authored this article that looks at the effectiveness and cost savings of a real-world, continuous, pharmacist-delivered service with an employed patient population with diabetes over a 5-year period.

The Patients, Pharmacists Partnerships (P3 Program) was offered as an “opt-in” benefit to employees of 6 public and private self-insured employers in Maryland and Virginia. Care was provided in ZIP code–matched locations and at 2 employers' worksites.Six hundred two enrolled patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes were studied between July 2006 and May 2012 with an average follow-up of 2.5 years per patient. Of these patients, 162 had health plan cost and utilization data. A network of 50 trained pharmacists provided chronic disease management to patients with diabetes using a common process of care. Communications were provided to patients and physicians.

The P3 program had positive clinical outcomes and economic outcomes. Pharmacist-provided comprehensive medication therapy management services should be included as a required element of insurance offered by employers and health insurance exchanges.

Access the article here.